As they were still processing that, Zara turned to them again and asked, "Have you ever seen Mason fight?"
Carter and David, without saying a word, simply shook their heads.
"Then you guys can learn a lot from this fight," Zara said with calmness, her voice hinting that they shouldn't miss such a great opportunity to learn.
David and Carter were shocked by Zara's sudden words. Still, they couldn't believe anyone could be on par with their boss, who could easily take down anyone in minutes.
Even though they had seen Mr. Edward being hard and ruthless in business dealings, they hadn't thought much about his martial arts skills. But because Miss Luna (Zara) said so, they turned their attention to the two men fighting.
As the fight went on, they stood frozen with their mouths wide open.
Because even though Ethan was merely on defense, Mason was not to be taken lightly.
Mason spun into a roundhouse kick. Ren stepped back, the heel cutting through the air just inches from his jaw. He didn't counter or strike—he just exhaled.
He launched a flurry of strikes—jabs, uppercuts, elbows. Fast. Controlled. Angry.
Ethan moved like water. A pivot here, a soft parry there. He caught a wrist, redirected a palm, stepped around Mason's back, and released him before anything could escalate.
Mason didn't stop. He ducked and swept a leg across the floor. Ethan jumped it. A knee came next—Ethan blocked it with his forearm, stepping into the strike to absorb the impact. Then he pivoted again, placing a hand on Mason's shoulder—not to harm, but to steady him.
"Seems like you still need to practice," Ethan said with lips turned upwards, his voice like the rain—steady, constant.
Zara, hearing that, rolled her eyes at Ethan's attempt to provoke Mason.
As expected, Mason completely lost it and charged with full force—not like before, but with everything he had. David and Carter, standing to the side, widened their eyes at the sheer force Mason was unleashing on Ethan.
Ethan, unfazed by the attack, was already prepared to block it, as he had expected this reaction.
Zara, watching the fight become more intense and noting Ethan's clear attempt to provoke Mason, lost interest.
"Mason," Zara called out calmly, her voice soft.
Hearing her sudden soft voice, Mason stopped mid-attack. Ethan, seeing that Zara had lost interest, brushed off the dust on himself and straightened his clothes before calmly walking towards Zara.
Mason, whose anger hadn't completely subsided, grew enraged again, seeing Ethan walking towards the girl so casually.
Noticing his expression, Zara understood that she couldn't calm him down gently anymore. So, she stood in front of Ethan as Mason rushed forward and said, "Mason, I'm Zara."
Mason, who was still rushing to punch Ethan, halted in his tracks. Seeing the girl stand in front of Ethan protectively, his anger still raged—until he heard her words. He froze, eyes wide in shock, as if he had just heard something he never expected to hear again.
Looking at Zara, he trembled, unable to find his words. But he managed a few as he asked, "What... what did... you just say?"
Zara, looking at the shocked Mason in front of her, said calmly, "Look at me carefully. I'm Zara. Zara Adam. The Lia that you're talking about."
Still confused by Zara's words, Mason looked at Ethan in disbelief, seeking confirmation.
Ethan looked at Mason and asked sarcastically, "You really thought I would replace someone with her?"
Realizing what was happening, Mason didn't care about anything else. He stepped forward, arms open, ready to hug Zara who stood before him. But to his dismay, Ethan stepped in and directly pushed him back, standing in front of Zara as if reminding Mason of his place.
Seeing Ethan's stance triggered a flash from Mason's past.
In childhood, even though Zara appeared cold to strangers, Mason, Ethan, her brothers, and a few others were the ones she had grown up with, and she was always comfortable with them.
Alongside her brothers, Mason had been close to her and cared for her like a little sister. Whenever he wanted to hug Zara, her brothers usually didn't like it, but they'd let him if Zara was okay with it. But Ethan had always been different. Even if Zara allowed it, Ethan would never let anyone hug her. He would stand just like he was standing now—blocking anyone but her brothers from getting close.
Seeing that same reaction after so many years brought tears to Mason's eyes. He couldn't stop the smile forming on his lips through the tears.
Zara, noticing Mason's emotional state, stepped forward with a warm smile and said, "Seems like it's been a long time, Mr. Poodle Prince."
Even though he hated being called that, hearing Zara say it—alive and in front of him—made him smile even more. He chuckled and said, "Very, very long time, Lia."
Zara, seeing the tears in his eyes, smiled and teased, "I didn't know that Mr. Mason learned to cry these days."
Mason chuckled and moved forward to hug her again, but a sudden chill washed over him. Looking up, he met Ethan's cold glare—warning him against trying to hug Zara again.
Mason chuckled nervously and looked at Zara. "He hasn't changed a bit when it comes to you."
"Ignore him," Zara said with a warm smile and hugged Mason.
Mason, smiling at her, hugged her back and said, "Missed you a lot, Lia."
Ethan's face twisted at the sight of them hugging. Until now, Zara had never voluntarily hugged him, but Mason got one easily.
His aura turned cold just watching them. Mason sensed Ethan's jealousy and, glancing at him, couldn't help but shiver in fear—because he knew exactly what Ethan was capable of when jealous.
"If I hug for just another minute, I'm sure I'm dead meat, Lia," Mason murmured to Zara as he gently let her go.
Zara smiled and turned toward Ethan, whose expression immediately softened as soon as she looked at him.
Ethan walked up and stood beside Zara. Looking at Mason, he said sarcastically in a cold tone, "Let's go in, since someone already caused damage out here."
Looking around at the garden—which had been neat and tidy just minutes ago—now torn and trampled, Mason coughed awkwardly, trying to brush it off.
Zara didn't bother with either of them and simply walked toward the villa, leaving them behind.
Mason, seeing Zara walking away, hurried after her. "Wait for me, Lia!"
Ethan, watching Mason tailing behind Zara, couldn't help but feel frustrated. Mason was clearly still a disturbance between him and Zara.